The Top 10 Movie Heroines

Gary Ross directs this sci-fi/action epic based on Suzanne Collins' novel of the same name. Set in a futuristic American landscape, Jennifer Lawrence is Katniss Everdeen, the main character of the story. As a young girl living in a dystopian future, Everdeen replaces her sister in a survival contest that will save her community if she can make it until the end. Also starring Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Toby Jones and Elizabeth Banks.

Strong, capable heroines are becoming increasingly popular in mainstream movies. These female characters have a number of unique skills and often outperform their male counterparts. Continue reading to learn which characters made the top 10 list of best action movie heroines.

Photo Credit: Lionsgate

10. Hit-Girl

Hit-Girl is the fictional character featured in the Marvel Comic series "Kick-Ass." She is also featured in two film adaptations of the comic, titled "Kick-Ass" and Kick-Ass 2." Hit-Girl was trained by her father from a young age to be an assassin, so she has many impressive fighting skills. For example, she is skilled at hand-to-hand combat, she has extensive knowledge of weaponry and she can even stop bullets.

Photo Credit: Buena Vista Pictures

9. Helen Parr

Helen Parr, also known as Elastigirl, is the animated character featured in the film "The Incredibles." Elastigirl received her title due to her ability to stretch her body to a length of up to 100 feet. In the film, she uses this superpower to save the day by transforming into a parachute, boat and slingshot. Elastigirl is also an experienced pilot and has excellent espionage skills.

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

8. Lara Croft

Lara Croft is the protagonist of the "Tomb Raider" video game series. Croft is an archaeologist who travels around the world visiting ancient ruins. Whenever she encounters physical threats, she uses a number of weapons to protect herself, including guns, knives and an archery bow. The character gained a large fan base when the film adaptation of the video game debuted, staring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. Croft is considered to be one of the first mainstream movie heroines.

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

7. Marion Ravenwood

Marion Ravenwood is the heroine in the film "Raiders of the Lost Ark." In the film, she helps Indiana Jones recover important artifacts and aids him in his search for the Ark of the Covenant. Although she engages in very little violence, she makes the list of top 10 heroines due to her impressive wit and unconventional escape tactics.

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6. Neytiri

Neytiri is a supernatural heroine featured in "Avatar." She is skilled in killing viper wolves and she engages in several battles against Na'vi warriors. She primarily uses a bow to defeat her enemies, but she is also skilled in hand-to-hand combat.

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

5. Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger is the heroine of the popular "Harry Potter" film series. Hermione's most impressive skills are her sharp wit and intellectual abilities. These skills save her and Harry Potter numerous times throughout the film series. In addition, Hermione has many magic skills, such as the ability to cast complicated spells and non-verbal charms. She is also skilled at dueling and has the ability to defeat Death Eaters.

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4. Sonja

Sonja is a heroine who is featured in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." Although Sonja falls in love with a Lycan slave and is killed by her father as a result, she is one of the fiercest fighters in the film series. Additionally, her death serves as the reason for the war between the vampires and the Lycans.

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

3. Princess Leia

Princess Leia is one of the main protagonists in the "Star Wars" film series. She is the daughter of Darth Vader and sister of Luke Skywalker, and she is the love interest of Han Solo. Princess Leia is a trained Jedi and is very skilled at using a lightsaber and blaster. She is also an excellent sharpshooter and takes part in many of the combat missions featured in the film series.

Photo Credit: Lionsgate

2. Katniss Everdeen

Katniss Everdeen is the heroine of "The Hunger Games" film series. After representing her district in The Hunger Games, she uses her hunting and archery skills to survive. She is also skilled at using unconventional weapons to outsmart the other participants. In addition to performing in The Hunger Games, Katniss leads a revolt against the Capitol in the third installment of the film series.

Photo Credit: Twentienth Century Fox Film Corporation

1. Ripley

Ellen Ripley is one of the first heroines featured in a science fiction film. Sigourney Weaver portrayed the tough and capable Ripley in the "Alien" film series. This character is a warrant officer aboard the Nostromo. Ripley defeats a number of supernatural enemies and is skilled in using an array of weaponry. In "Alien: Resurrection," a cloned version of Ripley develops enhanced skills, such as acidic blood, fast reflexes and supernatural strength.

Each of these heroines is an unforgettable character that enhances the on-screen action in some of the most popular films. From Katniss Everdeen to Ellen Ripley, these popular movie heroines have a variety of skills that prove to be lethal against even the worst enemies. However, some characters, such as Hermione Granger and Marion Ravenwood, use intellect in addition to weapons to take on their enemies.